I began my behavioral health career in my home state of North Carolina. Go Pack! A BSW led me to an early career in Child Welfare. It took less than a year to realize my heart was in behavioral health. During and post MSW, I learned functionality of therapy in outpatient, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and psychiatric inpatient settings. As I approached completion of my clinical hours, I had barely noticed leadership’s interest in me beyond direct clinical work.
It started with being asked to take on additional tasks one by one. An associate director position opened and passed as I was being recruited out of state by a former director. I nearly fainted as I flew to Vegas to interview for a leadership position and was asked by the CEO “what makes you think you’re qualified for this job?” As I swallowed my heart back into place, I gave a humble answer of “I’m not. Without direct leadership experience, I can only lean into my character.” While I’m sure I am romanticizing this moment, it is true to my heart this day that character can not be taught. I’d take character over qualifications any day of the week. This position, which I was humbly granted, kick started a career fast track I never could have anticipated.
In the span of nine years I worked for three different behavioral health facilities in multiple capacities for the same company. Services at these facilities included: inpatient psychiatric care for latency, youth, adults, gero, and involuntary, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, individual counseling, residential treatment, electro convulsive therapy, and many facets in between. I held the roles of Assistant Clinical Director, Clinical Director, Risk Director, Quality and Performance Improvement Director, COO, and my most recent five years as CEO of a 140 bed inpatient psychiatric facility offering all levels of inpatient and outpatient care and ECT. I’ve experienced losses and lessons and have celebrated too many wins to count. From record setting regulatory survey success, to winning lowest annual turnover company wide, to building positive EBITA year over year; I’ve got much to be proud of. This all has brought me to this very sentence. To Your Grace Space.
With a clinical license in Arizona and a seven year stint in this great state, I’m leaving with so much more than I arrived with. Experience, memories, and more to offer the world of behavioral health and those who work and receive services in it. Having become a Mom and a CEO in the same year (literally holding down my morning sickness in the interview) I always knew I would someday return to my “village” in NC. Summer of 2025 is that time. I leave my hospital in the hands of a COO I’ve supervised for over two years and step into the next chapter. Your Grace Space is a collective of my skills, knowledge, and hope to continue helping the people who help people in their professional, clinical, and personal spaces. Whatever element you are seeking support in, I value the opportunity to add a little grace in your space. Connect with me today to explore more!
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